Nevada residents will be able to get their hands on a free radon testing kit, from December 1 through February 28, 2015. If you’re wondering how to do so, the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension offices will be distributing the tests, and those interested in acquiring one just have to get in touch and apply.
Nevada Residents May Acquire Free Radon Testing Kit
Photo by WPB Radon
The first question that will cross many of your minds is: why would I want a radon testing kit and why would I want to test my home? The answer is simple. Radon is a serious health hazard and it could very well be a problem in your residence. Your family may have been exposed to radon for years now without you even realizing it. The gas is odorless, colorless and tasteless so the only way to discover its presence is to use a radon testing kit.
Don’t believe radon is a problem for you or your family? Think again. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, responsible for the deaths of more than 21,000 Americans each year. While the recommended action limit is 4.0 pCi/L — the level at which users should take action to remove the gas from their home as set by the US EPA — exposure to every additional 15 pCi/L is equal to smoking a full pack of cigarettes per day. In case you still need that spelled out for you, exposure to radon significantly increases the risk for contracting lung cancer. It is entirely possible for you or your family to get lung cancer, even if you’ve never smoked a day in your life. If you have smoked any kind of tobacco, that risk is increased exponentially in combination with radon exposure.
Long story short, you definitely want to use a radon testing kit and test your home. If you don’t want to purchase a DIY radon testing kit and test your home yourself, you can always hire an experienced professional to do so. If you choose to go the professional route, they can also advise you what to do if elevated levels are discovered inside your home — which involves installing a mitigation system to vent the deadly gas.
Why You Absolutely Need to Test Your Home With A Radon Testing Kit
Want to hear some more local statistics? In Nevada alone, it is estimated that one in every four homes tested in the state have been found to contain elevated levels of radon well above the recommended limit. Just living in a residence with levels equal to 4.0 pCi/L is the equivalent of smoking a half a pack of cigarettes per day. At that rate it’s not a matter of “if” you’ll contract lung cancer, but when. The biggest problem with that is, lung cancer has an extremely high mortality rate. This is because it does not show any short term symptoms — and neither does radon poisoning for that matter. By the time symptoms crop up in lung cancer patients enough that they can be diagnosed, generally the disease has already progressed beyond a curable state.
You don’t want lung cancer and you don’t want anyone in your family to be plagued by it. So, apply for your free radon testing kit immediately and have your home tested. You can also purchase a DIY radon testing kit from local hardware stores or online.
The sooner you test your home and discover whether or not there’s a problem, the sooner you can take action and ensure you and your family have a safe living environment.
Via: Reno Gazette-Journal
